Located in the state of Delaware and the seat of New Castle County during the influx of the Christina River and of the Brandywine Creek into the Delaware River. Wilmington became the state’s financial, industrial and commercial center and was the main port. The oldest settlement by the Europeans in the Delaware River valley was established by the Swedes. The area was first called Fort Christina, it was later renamed Altena before the settlers ousted the English forces. The area was a small agricultural hamlet for its first 100 years until it was developed into a thriving port and as a market after the Quakers moved in.